Ayad Alghaithi, Period 7, 3/21/2024

 Ayad Alghaithi, Period 7, 03/21/2024

Viewing “Interview with the Vampire” through the Gothic lens

Modern Mythology 2024

The Gothic lens is a lite array perspective that analyzes pieces of literature through elements such as supernatural occurrences, psychological complexity, atmosphere, and the exploration of the dark side of human nature. “Interview with the Vampire” by Anne Rice is a perfect example of the gothic lens at play. Readers are able to read and understand the book through the gothic lens because of its exploration of darkness, immortality, and human characteristics. The book “Interview with the Vampire” by Anne Rice can be viewed through the gothic lens because the book incorporates aspects of the supernatural, eerie atmosphere, and character desires. 

Throughout the book, Rice establishes a hunting atmosphere. This is evident straight from the beginning where Rice gives vivid descriptions of New Orleans and the decaying mansion that Louis lives in. For example in chapter 1, Louis is describing the condition of his mansion, stating, “There was something eerie and ghostly about the broken slates and the darkened windows” (Rice,1). This instantly sets the tone and setting to the reader and gives them an ominous vibe which transitions into the rest of the story. This ominous vibe reflects one of the main aspects of gothic literature and because it is present throughout the entirety of the book that is why this book is able to be analyzed through the gothic lens. 

Undeniably one of the main themes of the book has to be the theme of the supernatural, the most obvious example of this is the essence of vampires itself. The readers realize that theme the instant they read the title of the book. In Chapter 2, Lestat reveals his true nature to Louis, transforming him into a vampire and introducing him to the world of the undead (Rice, 2). Not only does this contribute and support the analysis of the book through the gothic lens but it also serves as a spark for Louis’s existential crisis and shows that start in his change in morals. Throughout the early chapters of the book, Anne Rice portrays the characteristics of a vampire and adds the elements of mystery and suspense which harnesses the gothic elements and helps the reader to view the literature through the gothic lens.

“Interview with the Vampire” dives into each character’s desires and conflicts and exposes the character's inner thoughts. This is seen towards the middle chapters of the book where Louis feels the guilt of feeding on humans he states in chapter 5, “I was burdened with guilt every time I hunted… I could not be rid of it” (Rice, 5) The book explores the guilt of the characters and exposes the morals that they hold dear to. The search of the source of guiltiness and the search for resolve and meaning is one of the main aspects of gothic literature. As Louis dives deep in his relationships with Lestat and Claudia, he stands in front of the dark side and the complexities of his new existence, adding depth to the story and contributing to create a gothic theme.

Anne Rice amazingly depots gothic elements to develop a theme of a book that is not only haunting but also thought-provoking. Through her ability to harness the atmosphere of her setting, supernatural elements, and exploration of human desires, Rice is able to hook the reader into her world of darkness and mystery. As the story progresses the gothic elements grow more and more obvious and the gothic theme is portrayed clear as day and us readers are hooked deeper and deeper into its mystery. However one thing that is not a mystery is that the book “Interview with the Vampire” by Anne Rice can be viewed through the gothic lens.